Luminescent ture electrode receptacle



Jan. 9, 1934. c. M. H. NELSON 7 1,942,724

LUMINESCENT TUBE ELECTRODE RECEPTACLE Filed June 20, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l F'IE I /,V ..s; i

ll g

I i; i Z

CHADLES M. H. NELSON ATTORNEY INVHENTOR Jan. 9, 1934. c. M. H. NELSON LUMINESCENT TUBE ELECTRODE RECEPTACLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ENTOR H. NEL5ON ATTORNEY Filed June 20. 1932 Patented Jan. 9, 1934 LUMINESCENT TUBE ELECTRODE RECEPTAOII Charles M. H. Nelson, has Angeles. Calif. Application June 20,- 1932. Serial No. 818,223

1'! Claim.

This invention has to do in a general way with cover receptacles designed to enclose electrodes of inert gas tubes of the type used in electric signs and the like, and is more particularly related to improvements in electrode receptacles of the type shown and described in my copending' application, Serial No. 521,684, filed March 11, 1931.

It is the general practice in the construction of signs of the general type referred to above, to mount the gas tubes on the outside of the Sig body or case and have the electrodes project within the enclosure. The electrode receptacles are generally mounted on the inside surface of the sign face and project transversely across the case. This aflords protection against mechanical injury to the tube; reduces the possibility of accidental contact of uninsuIa-ted high voltage parts by persons having access to the interior of the sign; and provides cans for supporting the high tension conductors and connecting them to the tube electrodes.

This invention relates to the so-called pendant type of electrode receptacle which is mounted in the general manner referred to above and includes certain improvements in this type of receptaele which facilitates its construction and installation, and affords further protection against short circuits and corona effects. In the usual type of electrode receptacle of this type, so far as I am aware, the conducting cable enters the pendant end of the electrode in substantially normal" relation thereto so that a portion, at least, of the conductor cable is in close proximity of the rear wall of the sign ease, unless the case is made especially large to avoid this situation.

It is a primary object of this invention to produce an electrode receptacle of the class described which is so constructed that the conductor cable enters the electrode receptacle at an. angle or in an inclined position. This construction has the effect of maintaining the conductor cable in substantially the center of the sign case. In accomplishing this object, I construct the electrode receptacle so that the entering end of the conductor cable is'sheathed with an overlying material portion. In this manner any possible eiposure of the conductor which extends beyond the insulation of the cable is avoided. v

It is a further feature of the invention that the sheath is constructed so that the cable is not bent sharply but has a curve of long radius so that the thickness of the cable insulation at the point at which it enters the receptacle is not. reduced at represented by the line 11-11 in Fig. 1;

any point as would be the caseif the cable were bent at a sharp angle.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a receptacle of the class described with a. breathing opening'so that there will be no pro-' nounced tendency to retain moisturewitbin the electrode receptacle.

The general construction of the device whereby the foregoing objectsare accomplished comprises a housing which has an elongated tube receiving socket in one end, such socket terminating. in what I may term a transverse wall above or beyond which I provide a transverse chamber. The peripheral or side wall of the housing at one portion thereof is provided with an inclined channel or passage associated with a sheath which communicates with the transverse chamber and through which a conductor cable is admitted to the chamber for contact with a suitable conductor which delivers energy to the tube received in the socket.

It is a further object of this invention to taper the socket referred to above and to form the outer surface of the housing on an inclined or chest taper so that one portion of the housing wall increases in thickness from the basal supporting flange to the pendant or inner end. In this manner I provide suflicient material in the wallof the housing to permit the formation of a channel or passage therein without destroying the dielectric effect of the housing wall.

The, details in the construction of the certain preferred forms of my invention, together with other objects attending its production, will be best understood from the following description of the accompanying drawings which are chosen for illustrative purposes only, and in which- Fig. I is a perspective view with parts broken away illustrating a-preferred-form of electrode receptacle embodying a form of Imy invention, and owing the mannerinwhich itismountedin a sign case:

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken in a plane- Fig. III is a perspective view illustrating a cover section of the type used in connection with the receptacle shown in Fig. I;

Fig. IV is a detached view showing a preferred form of cable mounting used in the device shown in Fig. I;

Fig. V is a sectional elevation illustrating an-. other form of electrode receptacle. 1 J

Pig. V1 is a sectional view taken in a plan represented by the line VI-VI inFig. V;

VII is an end view of the receptacle shown in Fig. V;

cover section removed;

Fig. VIII is an elevational view of the coversection used in the receptacle shown in Pig. V;

Fig. IX is a plan view taken in the direction of the arrow xx in Fig. vnr;

Fig. X is an end view of a preferred form of conductor bracket used in the receptacle shown Fig. XI is a sectional elevation showing another modified form of my invention;

Fig. XII is a sectional view taken in a plane represented by the line XII-XII in Fig. XI;

Fig. XIII is an end view taken in the direction of the arrow XIII in Fig. XI;

Fig. XIV is a plan view of a preferred form of a conductor connection used in a receptacle shown in Fig. XI; and

Fig. XV is an elevational view illustrating the construction of. a cob section used in the receptacle shown in Fig. XI.

Referring to the drawings with particular reference to Figs. I, V and XI,- reference letter A indicates an electrode receptacle, made preferably of non-absorptive vitreous material such as wet process high potential porcelain with a hard glaze coat, which is mounted on the front'face Bofasigncasec,thealgncasebeingcomposed of a rear face 1). and top or boundary faces E. The receptacle A is provided with a basal flange F adapted to engage the inner surface of the front face I andis supported thereon by means of oppositely disposed ears G which receive screws indicated by reference letter H. Reference letter I indicates a miller! gas tube or sign tube of the socalled neon type, the inner end J of such tube being provided with a suitable electrode, and means generally indicated by reference letter K in Figs. I and V and reference letter K in Fig. In are provided for delivering electric current to the electrode. Reference letter L indicates an insulated cable having a conductor M through which current is delivered to the sign electrode from any source of high potential energy not shown. Means are provided in the receptacle for electrically connecting the cable to the conductor member K or K. The details in the construction of such means will be more completely described later in the specification.

It is an important feature of all thedifi'erent forms of my invention that the means for admitting the cable to the electrode receptacle are constructed so that the enteringend of the cable is completely insulated and enters the receptacle at a substantial distance from the rear face D. The cable is supported at various intervals throughout its length by suitable insulating supports of any desired type. Such as indicated by reference letter N in Fig. I or reference letter O in Fig. V. These supports are secured to the rear plate D in any suitable manner such as by means of screws or bolts. The sign tube I is also supported at various points by means of suitable supporting clamps generally indicated by reference letter P, which are secured to the front face plate B by means of metal screws Q.

More particularly describing the various modifications of my invention with especial reference to Fig. I, the electrode receptacle is shown as comprising, what I may term, a basal section 11 which has a deep tapered socket 12, the socket terminating injwliat' Imay' 'a wall 13. The transverse wall 13 is apertured as indicated at 14 for the reception of a conductor 1342,7224 in Fig. V, the same being illustrated with the bolt 15. The bolt 15 engages a washer 16 on the inside of the socket l2 and the outer threaded end of the bolt engages a nut member 1'7, the details in the construction of which are best illustrated in Fig. IV where it is shown as comprising a base section 18 having an internally threaded thimble 19 overwhichawasherwisadaptedtoilt. In the use of this device the conductor cable M is wound around the thimble portion 19 as indicated at 21 and the elements are drawn into pressure engagement by tightening the screw 15 in the thimble with the washer 20 bearing against the outer surface of the transverse wall 13.

Reference numeral 22 indicates a cover section which is provided with a peripheral recess 23 adapted to fit over an outwardly extending shoulder on the basal section 11 and which is undercut as indicated at 24 so as to form, what I may term. a transverse chamber 25 in the housing beyond the deep socket 12. In constructing the basal section of the housing or receptacle shown in Fig. I, I propose to provide this section with an oii'set taper so that the peripheral wall thickness, of what would be the lower side, increases from the basal portion at the end portion, such wall section being indicated generally by the arrow 8-8. This is accomplished preferablyby making one portion of the outer wall substantially parallel with the axis of the receptacle and tapering the remaining of the surface toward this straight portion. In the upper end portion of the outer wall surface in the thick section thus formed, I provide an inclined channel indicated by reference letter V, and in this particular form of my invention. the inclined channel is associated with a sheath or shield 28 which is composed of insulating material which is integral with the basal section 'of the housing. The shield and the channel cooperate to form an inclined for the reception of the contact end of the cable L. The inclination and the arrangement of this passage is such that the cable L enters the e at a point substantially midway between the face plates 13 and D of the sign case. The sheath provides adequate protection against corona or arcing-over effects from the cable to the rear plate, and the angle of inclination is such that the cable -does not receive a sharp bend or kink as it enters the receptacle from the support N, it being understood that such kinks tend to decrease the thickness of insulation in the region where the kink occurs.

The cover member 22, in this form of my invention, is secured to the basal section in any suitable manner such as by means of paste porcelain so that the unit when assembled forms what is in eiiect an integral housing.

In this form of my invention, the conducting member K is made in the form of a coil spring 30. one end of which bears against the head of the screw 15 and the other did of which bears against a metal conducting thimble 31 which is mounted in a glass thimble 32. such thimble being connected with the electrode end of the tube I by means of a glass hub 33. Current is delivered from the thimble 31 to the electrode 84 by means of swim or other conductor 35 embedded in the hub 33.

In the form of my invention shown in Figs. V to VIII inclusive, the receptacle A comprises a basal section 40 which is shown as being provided V r or other composition plug 42 in its open end adapted to reoeive and support the sign tube I. The inner or' sheaves a the conductor plate or, the bolt supports a socket pendant end oi the socket terminates in a transverse wall 43 which is provided with an aperture 44 adapted to receive a conductor screw or bolt 45.

The socket in the basal section of the housing in this form of my invention, like that described above, is tapered and the outer surface of the,

' basal section is formed with an oilset taper" so that one portion oi the wall indicated at 8-8 is oi increased thickness from the base to the pendant end. This portion or the basal section is provided with a channel or recess indicated at 48 and the portion of the-basal section opposite the channel 46 is extended as indicated at 4'! to Iorm an interlocking support for a cover member 48. The engagin portions or the cover membcr and the basal section are steppw as indicated at 48' and the cover member is held in tight engagement with the basal section by means of a stud 49 which extends through an opening in the extending portion .47 of the basal section into threaded engagement with the cover section. The inner portion of the cover member as is receased as indicated at 50 and the cover member is made oi at length such that the unit when assembled has a transverse chamber 50 between the partition is and the cover section.

.tion with i, the spring as Reference numeral 51 indicates an angular conductorwhich is mounted on the screw or bolt and has an upwardly extending leg perforated to receive a bolt til whereby the conductor end of the cable L may be secured thereto. In this form oi my invention the cover member is pro== vided with a. downwardly extending and inclined sheath or lip 53 which cooperates with the channel or recess id to form an inclined pasmge tor the reception oi the insulated cable. This lip is shown as being knurled as indicated at M ior rm ptn'posc oi clamping the cable in place and re lievln: the binding post or conductor oi strain ii-om thecable. The sign tube electrode and conducting'systcm is the same in this term of my invention as that shown and described in connecccntcctinn with the head of the bolt cs.

In assembling this type of receptacle. the bolt and angle conductor or binding post 51 are first put in place and tightened, the cable being secured to the angle plate either before or after the placement thereof. and the cover member 48 is then put in place and secured to its position by means oi tho stud 49. It is preferable in assembiing this unit to place a cementing compound on the stepped interlocking edses 4s, and after such cement has set, the stud 4 9 is removed and the transverse chamber 50' is completely filled with cement through stud passage. If desired. or course, the stud-may remain a part or! the assembly, but under these circumstances itis prererabieto form thecoverscthatthestudiscompleiely encased by insulating material.

In the form of my invention shown in Figs. X! to IV inclusive, I provide what may be termed a three-piece receptacle in which the receptacle A iscomposedoiabasalsectionodacob fiLanda cover section. 'lhebasalsectiondohasadeep socket 68 extending longitudinally therein and the-upper end of the socket is defined by an in-- wardiy extending dense (l4 which engages a shoulderoiionthecobolsothatthecobtorms what is in elect a partition or transverse wall attbeinnerendoithesocket. Thecob6lisre-' cened as indicated at to provide a transversediameter andpermit the installation or a screw or bolt 66 which supports a conductor plate 6'! onthe innersuriaccofthecob. Inadditionto 68 adapted to receive a contact nipple 69 on the electrode end of the sign tube L. The plate 67 is provided with a' finger 69 which normally extends in substantially the same plane or 'a plane substantially parallel to-the plane of the plate 6'! as shown in Fig. XIV.

In assembling this device the plate 6'! and socket 68 is first secured for free adjustment on the cob 61 and the finger 69 bent down clear of the periphery of the shoulder on the cob and this assembly inserted from the plate attaching end, as'shown in Fig. XI. The cableis then secured to the fingerliilby means of a bolt 70 and the cob and its associated parts are arranged so that the cable lies in an'inclined recess '71 which is provided in the thick'wall section t-t formed on the receptacle in the manner described in connection with Figs. I and V. The cover section -62 is then positioned as shown in Fig. X! where it is secured in place by means oi a stud 73 which extends through a passage 74 in the cover section and into a threaded recess 75 in the cob or transverse wall section.

The cover 62, like the cover 46, is provided witho. sheath or lip 75 which extends downwardly over the recess 71 and protects or insulates, and guides the cable. This sheath is provided with hurling 77 like "the sheath shown in FigeV.

In all of the modified forms of the receptacle referred to herein, 1 provide the basal section with a groove or channel indicated by reference letter V which is preferably an extension or depression in the cable receiving groove and is pro-- vided for the purpose oi ventilating the interior oi my invention, the invention is not limited to the precise construction described above, but includes within its scope whatever changes fairly come within the spirit of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A light tube receptacle of the class described embodying: a housing composed of insulating 'material and having a deep socket extending longitudinally therein; an apcrtured transverse wall in said housing at "the inner end of said socket; and a transverse chamber formed in said housing above said transverse wall, the wall of said housing being provided with an inclined channel leading from an intermediate portion thereof to said transverse chamber and adapted to receive a. conductor cable.

2. A light tube receptacle of the class described embodying: a housing composed of insulating material and having a deep socket oxtendinglongitudinally therein; an apertured transverse wall in said housing at the inner end or said socket;

a transverse chamber formed in said housin above said transverse wall, the peripheral wall or 'said'housing being provided with an inclined channel leading from an intermediate portion theme! to said transverse chamber; and an inciined sheath on said housing extending over said channel so as to form an inclined passage for the reception oi a conductor cable. I i A light'tube receptacle 0! the class described Nil embodying: an integral housing composed of insulating material and having a deep socket extending longitudinally therein; an apertured transverse wall in said housing at the inner end of said socket; and a transverse chamber formed in said housing above said transverse wall therein, the peripheral wall 01' said housing being provided with an inclined passage leading to said transverse. chamber and adapted to receive a conductor cable, said inclined passage having an external opening situated at a substantial distance below said transverse chamber.

4. For use in combination with a case adapted to support a light tube sign of the class described, an electrode receptacle embodying: a housing having a deep socket extending longitudinally therein; means at the open bottom end of said housing for securing same to one wall oi! said case; an apertured transverse wall in said housing at the inner end of said socket; and a transverse chamber formed in said housing above said transverse wall, the peripheral wall of said housing being provided with an inclined passage having an exterior opening situated substantially midway between the walls of said case and an interior opening communicating with said transverse chamber.

5. For use in combination with a case adapted to support a light tube sign of the class described, an electrode receptacle embodying: a housing having a deep socket extending longitudinally therein; means at the open bottom end of said housing for securing same to one wall 01' said case; an apertured transverse wall in said housing at the inner end of said socket; a transverse chamber formed in said housing above said transverse wall, thev peripheral wall of said housing being provided with an inclined channel terminating in said transverse chamber; and an inclined sheath over said channel forming a passage adapted to receive a conductor cable.

6. For use in combination with a case adapted to support a light tube sign of the class described,

an electrode receptacle embodying: a housing having a deep socket extending longitudinally therein; means at the open bottom end of said housing for securing same to one wall of said case; an apertured transverse wall in said housing at the inner end of said socket forming a transverse chamber in said housing, the periph eral wall of said housing being provided with an inclined channel terminating in said transverse chamber; and an inclined sheath over said channel forming a passage adaptedto receive a conductor cable, said passage having an exterior opening situated substantially midway between the walls of said case.

7. A light tube receptacle of the class described embodying: a housing composed of insulating material and having a deep socket extending longitudinally therein; an apertured transverse wall in said housing at the inner end of said socket forming a transverse chamber therein, the peripheral wall of said housing being provided with an inclined channel leading to said trans verse chamber; and an inclined sheath on said housing extending over said channel so as to form an inclined passage for the reception of a conductor cable, said sheath having a knurled inner surface.

8. A light tube receptacle oi. the class described embodying: an integral housing composed of insulating material; a basal flange on said housing adapted to engage a supporting plate, said housing being provided with a deep, tapered socket extending longitudinally therein with its axis normal to said basal flange, and said housing being exteriorly provided with an oflset taper so that one portion of the housing wall is of increasing thickness i'rom the basal flange to the inner end thereof; an apertured transverse wall in said housing at the inner end of said socket, said housing having a transverse chamber formed in said housing above said transverse wall; an inclined channel formed in theportion of said wall which is 01 increasing thickness, said channel communicating with said transverse chamber; and a sheath formed over said channel so as to provide an inclined passage for a conductor cable.

9. A light tube receptacle of the class described embodying: a housing composed of insulating material and comprising an elongated basal section and a cover section, said basal section having a deep socket formed longitudinally therein; a transverse apertured end wall at the inner end of said socket, said cover section 'being recessed so as to form a transverse chamber above said end wall; and a downwardly inclined passage formed in the peripheral wall of said housing and communicating with said transverse chamber for receiving the end of a conductor cable.

10. A light tube receptacle of the class described embodying: a housing composed of insulating material and comprising an elongated basal section and a cover section, said basal section having a deep socket formed longitudinally therein; a transverse apertured end wall at the inner end of said socket, said cover section being recessed so as to form a transverse chamber above said end wall; a downwardly inclined passage formed in the peripheral wall of said housing and communicating with said transverse chamber for receiving the end of a conductor cable; and conductor means extending through the passage in said end wall and adapted to secure said conductor cable in said transverse chamber.

11. A light tube receptacle of the class described embodying: a basal section having a deep socket extending longitudinally therein and terminating in an apertured end wall; an extending segment formed on said basal section and projecting beyond said end wall; a cover section engaging said extending segment and cooperating with said end wall and said segment to form a transverse chamber above said end wall; means for securing said cover section to said basal section, said basal section being provided'with an inclined channel terminating in said transverse chamber; and asheath member formed on said cover section and extending over said channel.

12. A light tube receptacle of the class described embodying: a basal section having a deep socket extending longitudinally therein and terminating in an apertured transverse wall; an extending segment formed on said basal section and projecting beyond said transverse wall; a cover section engaging said extending segment and cooperating therewith to form a transverse chamber above said transverse wall; means for securing said cover section to said basal section, said basal section being provided with an inclined channel terminating in said transverse chamber; a sheath member formed on said cover section and extending over said channel; a conductor bolt extending through the aperture in said transverse wall; a conductor bracket secured to said bolt within said transverse chamber; and means for securing a conductor cable to said bracket.

13. A light tube receptacle of the class de socket extending longitudinally therein and terminating in an apertured transverse wall; an extending segment formed on said basal section and projecting beyond said transverse wall; a cover section engaging said extending segment and cooperating therewith to form a transverse chamber above said transverse wall; means including a stud extending through an opening in said extending segment into threaded engagement with said cover section for securing said cover section to said basal section, said basal section being provided with an inclined channel terminating in said transverse chamber; and a sheath member formed on said cover section and extending over said channel.

14. A lighttube receptacle of the class described embodying: a basal sleeve section having an inwardly extending flange formed on its inner end; a cob in said sleeve section having a shoulder engaging said flange; a cover section mounted on said sleeve over said cob; means mounted in said cover and engaging said cob for looking all of said sections in rigid engagement; conductor means mounted on said cob, said sleeve being provided with an inclined channel at its inner end; and a sheath on said cover section extending 'oven said channel in spaced relation therewith and terminating in an opening opposite said conductor means.

15. A light tube receptacle of the class described embodying: a basal sleeve section having an inwardly extending flange formed on its inner end; a cob in said sleeve section and having a shoulder adapted to engage said flange; a'cover section mounted on said sleeve over said cob;

said cover section extending over said channel in spaced relation therewith so as to form aninclined passage havingvan opening in the inner end of said receptacle; and a conductor plate mounted on said cob opposite said opening.

16. A light tube receptacle of the class described embodying:- a basal section having a deep socket extending longitudinally therein and terminating in an end wall; an extending segment formed on said basal section and projecting beyond said end wall; a cover section engaging said extending segment and cooperating with said end wall and said segment to form a transverse chamber above said end wall; means for securing said cover section to said basal section; a conductor thimble in said basal section; and conductor means engaging said thimble and extending into said transverse chamber, the .side wall of said extending longitudinally therein with its axis substantially normal to the base of said housing, and said housing being exteriorly provided with an onset taper so that one portion at its peripheral wall is of increasing thickness from the base oi the housingto its upper end; a. chamber in said housing; a conductor thimble in said housing below said chamber; conductor means engaging said'thimble and extending into said chamber; and an inclined channel formed in the portion of said wall which is of increasing thickness, said channel communicating with said chamber.

' CHARLES M. H. NELSON. 

